Faisalabad’ Christian Town row: LHC orders registration of an FIR against the culpable police official

Lahore High Court issues orders for registration of an FIR against SHO Waheed Shahid, (Gulberg Police Station) and his accomplices for running riot in Faisalabad’ Christian Town. On May 19, police from the Gulberg Police Station had arrested ex-MPA Kamal Chughtai and other Christians from outside a church and brought fabricated charges of terrorism against them.

Justice Erum Sajjad dismissed Waheed Shahid’ petition for a stay order and directed for registration of an FIR against SHO Waheed Shahid. SHO Waheed had carried out a raid against the Christians in Christian Town area. Ex-MPA Kamal Chughtai and other Christians were subjected to inhumane torture during the police custody at Gulberg Police station, Faisalabad.

Previously on May 26, a Sessions court in Faisalabad had order to file an FIR against SHO Waheed Shahid and other police personnel involved in the Christian Town rampage. Kamal Chughtai and other lawyers had filed a petition seeking registration of an FIR against Waheed Shahid. Consequently, Waheed Shahid had filed a petition for a stay order in the LHC. On June 29, one appeared on behalf of the petitioner during the court proceedings; Justice Erum Sajjad warned the petitioner of dismissing the petition in case of his absence during court hearing on July. British Pakistani Christian Association provided financial aid to Kamal Chughtai for the sake of bearing expenses of lawyer.

During police custody, Kamal Chughtai underwent excruciating torture, which caused him to suffer from hypertension and so he had to be hospitalized. Kamal Chughtai and other Christians were arrested as a result of the brawl between policemen and Christian youth at the gate of the Christian Life Ministries Church in Christian Town Faisalabad.

“After hearing the commotion, Kamal Chughtai who was inside the church as a prayer service was going on inside rushed outside. He and other Christians tried to intervene and stop the policemen and Christian youth from fighting. Consequently, Kamal Chughtai and other Christians including women were hooked by the police and later on the police brought charges of terrorism against 42 Christians.